Construction on a new White House ballroom project can continue for now, following a ruling by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday. The decision provides a temporary reprieve, suspending a lower court order that would have halted the estimated $400 million project.
The order from the DC Circuit Court of Appeals was set to take effect Friday evening. Roberts' ruling allows the construction to proceed while the Supreme Court considers the Trump administration's emergency request for intervention.
The administration had appealed to the Supreme Court last week, seeking to suspend the appellate court's decision. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the renovations are essential and should not be stopped. Sauer cited President Trump's safety, referencing recent assassination plots, and stated that any delay could pose a risk. He also noted that the ballroom is approximately 65% complete, suggesting that finishing the project would render the legal dispute moot.
Roberts' temporary stay does not rule on the legality of the project itself. Two lower courts have previously found the construction to be unlawful due to a lack of congressional approval. Mage3: url= | alt=Construction continues on the White House East Wing ballroom. | dimensions=1536x1024